Forever and Always

Chapter 10

A month has gone by since I stopped working for Fashion Grove. I did move back to my apartment but it was either Steve coming to my place or me just going over to the tower. I've been sending out applications after the bruises healed and I wasn't malnourished looking. Besides being constantly declined by companies I've felt so good. At the moment the Avengers were out on a mission for the week. I spent some time with Alice but just worked on myself. When the Avengers weren't in the tower I'd text Phil saying I was going to stop by more for the group's ease of mind. I liked using the training room for yoga and gymnastics more so trying to just strengthen myself in general. Days without Steve went by way too slow but I think it's important for each other to have alone time. Steve always ended up wanting to sleep next to me on our alone days so of course I'd make the exception whenever he wanted because I couldn't complain having those strong arms around me while I slept.

It was Sunday and I received a text from Tony saying they'd be home today, so I set up food in the common room kitchen and waited for them, simply passing time by just watching tv. After a few hours of lounging around I finally heard the engine to the quinjet in the distance but at that same moment the elevator dinged with people from the medbay running in with two gurneys and my heart dropped. I followed them outside, the first person on a gurney was Clint and I ran with them as they were rolling him in the direction of the med bay. "Clint, are you okay!?" Panic in my voice as I was already teary eyed. "Hey kiddo it's just my arm" his voice raspy but I saw the blood covering his arm as there was a huge gash. "You'll be okay, it's okay" I said more to myself, but as soon as I looked back at the second gurney my heart broke in a million pieces, it was Steve. I slowed down and then got to Steve, he was out cold, "what's wrong?" "We don't know yet" one of the nurses said, "heart rate dropping" I stopped as they brought him into the elevator, my legs wouldn't carry me anymore, I went to collapse but someone caught me, my tears making my vision blurry. I was scooped up and brought over to the couch, "My Lady, Cap will be okay, he's tough." I saw Natasha, Tony, and Bruce standing around as Thor sat next to me. "Wh..what happened?" There was silence before Tony spoke, they all looked like shit, exhausted. "Ambush" I squeezed my eyes shut just thinking about people surrounding them. "Steve's tough and so is Clint, they just didn't have cover from all sides" Natasha said. "We all need to clean up, they'll be okay, I'm sure you can see them soon" Bruce gave me a small smile as they left leaving me on the couch completely numb.

Not sure how long I sat there I slowly got up to make it to the med bay. The elevator moved excruciatingly slow as my heart was pounding. In the hallway there was a door open and when I looked in I saw Clint sitting up on his phone his arm bandaged, I went in to see him. He looked up from his phone and smiled, "Ah you're my first visitor" I looked at him sadly, "is your arm okay?" he lifted his arm, "this? It'll be fine within a few weeks. I was just caught off guard" I walked closer and grabbed his hand, he gave me a squeeze, "you don't need to hide anything from me" he sighed, "my arm hurts like hell but I will be okay" I nodded, "I can't imagine having anything happen to any of you" He gave me a genuine smile, "You don't need to worry, I know you're dying to see Cap. Go I'll be okay" I nodded letting go of his hand, "If you need anything just text me"I gave his arm another look, "Will do" I walked slowly to the next room that I knew would be Steve's and stood outside the door. I don't know why I was so scared to see him. I opened the door seeing him sleeping, the blanket over him but I could tell they took his shirt off. I closed the door and walked closer to him. His face had some cuts that had small bandages on them, I rubbed my thumb over his cheek. I then lifted his blanket to see a bandage across his abdomen, some blood already staining the white gauze, I pulled the blanket back up and held onto the bed. Tears flowing down my face, "Steve, I know you're strong but I still get scared." I sniffled just wishing he'd wake up and be okay, it hurts me to see him hurt, 'I can't lose the only person I have left to love!" I couldn't control the tears and I slowly brought myself to the floor sitting criss crossed and putting my face in my hands. I sobbed my body shaking uncontrollably with the thought of losing Steve, how dangerous his missions actually are and that anything could happen at any moment.